Make no mistake: most pimple scar skin care remedies and techniques are expensive, and they need to be undertaken for a long period of time before any results can emerge. Before you can understand how pimple scar skin care works, however, you need to know about pimple first and what can cause scarring.
Pimple vulgaris
Pimple vulgaris is caused by the clogging of skin pores by dirt, debris, or dried skin cells. This clogging causes pimples to form, creating the well-known cystic pimple that is common in teenagers or persons with hormonal imbalances. The underlying cause of pimple vulgaris has yet to be determined, however: some doctors and scientists propose that fluctuating hormonal levels contribute to pimple, while others surmise that pimple vulgaris is genetic in nature and can be inherited from one's parents.
Whatever the cause of pimple, dermatologists will always caution you to refrain from touching your face, removing the pimples yourself, and, more crudely, "popping your zits". This is because any manual force not exerted by medically-approved means can cause pimple scars to form.
Types of pimple scars
In general, there are two types of pimple scars, the pigmented scars and the pitted ones. Pigmented scars can be red or brown in color, and appear after the pimple has disappeared. Although they can be unseemly to look at, they can disappear after treatment, or they can vanish on their own after a few weeks or months.
On the other hand, pitted scars occur when damage is done to the skin tissue beneath the pimple. Such scars look like indentations on the skin, and are often referred to as pockmarks. Both kinds of pimple scars have their own methods for removal or concealment.
Pimple scar skin care for pigmented scars involves using lotions or creams that have whitening compounds. Such compounds can remove the pigment from the scar and even out one's pigmentation. For instance, exfoliating agents such as glycolic acid or alpha-hydroxy acids can remove dead skin cells from the area so that new skin can immediately be regenerated.
Pimple scar skin care is a little more complicated for pitted scars, as these scars are difficult to erase. Some dermatologists can inject protein stimulators that can induce skin cells to form the important proteins elastin and collagen. Once the cells surrounding the scars start producing these proteins, the skin can be plumper, and the depth of the scars can be made shallower, further reducing their pockmarked appearance.
Laser therapy
Laser treatments can also be used to combat pimple scarring. Ablative laser treatment, for instance, burns scar tissue off from the surface of the skin, which stimulates the underlying skin to tighten. Such a technique injures the skin and exposes underlying tissue, so that people undergoing ablative laser treatment have to likewise be protected from infection. Moreover, because laser therapy can be painful, doctors apply anesthetics to the skin before undertaking any laser procedure.
On the other hand, non-ablative laser treatment can induce changes in the underlying skin tissue without doing injury to the epidermis, or the surface of the skin. Such laser therapy is relatively fast: this time, it heats up the oil glands in the skin, preventing pimple from forming; it also tightens the underlying skin, so that scarring will be less visible. Another type of laser therapy makes use of the yellow pulse dye laser, a machine that operates using yellow light. Yellow light treats keloids, and can flatten or reduce inflammation of raised scars.
Fat transplant
There are other options for pimple scar skin care. A dermatologist may offer to inject the scar, or plump it up, with filler substances such as bovine collagen. Fat can also be transplanted from other parts of the patient's body and into the pimple scar. Some dermatologists may also recommend creams or lotions that can plump the skin temporarily and remove any sign of wrinkles, pimple scar depressions, or age lines. There are also excision and incision techniques that can be carried out on irregularly-shaped pimple scars.
Pimple can be a painful and embarrassing condition for a person to be afflicted with. Often, a person who has pimple cannot control its occurrence. But, by following a few pimple skin care practices, pimple can be controlled and even gotten rid of.
Pimple is an inflammatory skin disease that affects millions of individuals. The most universal type of pimple is known as "common pimple". Pimple is caused when too many oils are secreted from the glands and those oils mix with dead skin cells, blocking the hair follicles. More oil secretions increase underneath the already blocked follicles (or pores), and skin bacteria begin to grow rapidly. This leads to red and irritated skin that most often appears as bumps on the skin's surface. Any skin surface of the body is susceptible to pimple, but it most commonly (and heavily) appears on the face, chest, back, and upper arm region.
Pimple commonly begins to occur during puberty due to an irregular response by the body to regular levels of testosterone, a male hormone. Often, pimple begins to subside or disappear altogether by the mid 20's. However, some individuals do suffer with it throughout adulthood. And some adults do not even see the onset of pimple until well into the adult years. This is known as adult onset pimple.
Pimple can leave scarring on the skin, as well as have a scarring effect on a person's self-esteem, and even lead to depression. Because society can be so unforgiving about appearances, there are various medically prescribed treatments available, as well as pimple skin care regimens that can be utilized in order to minimize the symptoms of pimple.
Different things cause pimple for different sufferers. A few of the recognized causes of pimple include heredity, hormonal activity (puberty, menstruation, pregnancy), stress, certain medications, and skin irritation. All of these things have the potential to cause pimple, as well as exacerbate it. There are a few myths regarding pimple. For instance we've all heard of a mom telling her child not to eat too many greasy foods like French fries, or eat too many sweets, because it will give him or her pimples. That is simply an old wives' tale. Diet does not cause pimple, and does not affect it. Also, poor hygiene has no bearing on the occurrence of pimple. Pimple is not caused by dirt, and having poor hygiene habits will not aggravate the condition.
There are many treatments for pimple available, both through prescription, and over the counter. There are antibiotics in the form of pills, as well as topical creams that are designed to treat the condition. Exfoliation can be used as a treatment to remove and prevent the build up of dead skin cells. And light therapy is being used more and more to treat pimple. It is important to consult a dermatologist in order to determine the best course of treatment and learn the best regimen of pimple skin care to carry out.
A lot of the ingredients for these natural pimple cures might already be in your home already.
One thing to do is to drink water. This may sound to easy, but there is a good reason for it.
As you probably already know, our bodies are made up mostly of water.
When you drink water, it allows your body to naturally remove toxins and impurities which can build up over time. Drinking enough water allows our body to process these things through our kidneys and urine instead of by way of our pores.
The idea is that the fewer impurities we have, will greatly reduce the number of pimples and pimple breakouts we have.
Another natural pimple cure to try is using Apricot Juice, but you will not be drinking it. You will use it topically.
OK, here it is, apply the apricot juice every day to your face, or other places where you have pimple breakouts. You want to be sure to use only pure apricot juice, and leave it on the affected areas for at least ten minutes before you rinse it off.
The idea behind this pimple treatment is that the apricot juice will work at drying up any pimples and pimple cysts that you already have.
You are going to want to use only glycerin and sorbitol based soaps.
Many of the soaps promoted as pimple soap, or pimple cures and prevention, are actually to harsh and will lead to drying your skin out to much.
The glycerin or sorbital-based soaps are designed to be mild enough to be used for frequent washing, but strong enough to combat any excessive oils which your body may be producing.
You can also try applying Rosehip Seed Oil to the areas you have affected by pimple.
If pimple is very severe one of the worst problems to deal with is pimple scarring.
The pimple scarring can be a problem that has to be dealt with long after the pimple is gone.
Rosehip Seed Oil can be used to to reduce the scarring. Try massaging the Rosehip Seed Oil into any pimple scars for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day. This should help reduce the scarring while improving the appearance of your skin.
Something else you can try is scrubbing the affected areas with salt and vinegar.
Just mix the salt and vinegar to a paste consistency and rub the areas affected by the pimple.
Make sure to leave this on for twenty minutes at least, then you can wash it off with warm water.
You will probably find these things somewhat unpleasant while doing them, but it should help clear up your pimple skin condition.
These natural pimple treatments can work, but only if you do them faithfully. So what are you waiting for, the sooner you start using your natural pimple remedies, the sooner you can have your pimple under control.
The better you control your pimple breakouts, the less chance you will have of developing pimple scarring.
Everybody wants flawless, glowing skin at all ages, but not everyone realizes that the earlier you start taking care of your skin the better. Your daily skin care routine is as important as brushing your teeth every day or taking a shower in the morning.
Baby Skin Care
It is critical to protect your baby's skin from the sun at all costs. It is challenging to do so, when your child is younger than six month, because until then you cannot even apply the sun block, because some ingredients could be harmful to baby's liver. The only choice you, as a parent, have is to cover your baby with breathable cotton clothes and keep them in the shade for most of the time.
Teenagers
We all know that sunrays are one of the most harmful outside factors for our skin, but we do not start paying attention to it until we actually notice some damage. During your teenage years you do not have to do much to maintain a healthy looking skin, unless you have some pimple problems. At this time it is important to clean your skin from any make up or dirt that comes with air pollution (especially in the big cities), and to moisturize (especially during the cold winter months).
20s-30s
At this time in addition to all procedures mentioned above you want to make sure that you use gentle scrubs on a regular basis to get rid of the dead skin layers and to give your skin that extra ability to absorb all the nutrients from your moisturizer or a vitamin mask. It is a good idea to treat yourself to a spa visit once in a while for a professional facial treatment. It is a wonderful way for you to relax, and to pamper your skin with high quality facial products.
40s-60s
It is time to hit it hard with extra hydration by moisturising your skin religiously. Make sure you use a night cream and a day cream, as they do have different ingredients in them to provide maximum nourishment. Every evening, after cleaning and toning your skin before going to bed you should use a night cream, which is a richer version of your light day cream. Try to provide your skin as much makeup-less time as possible when you are at home, so your skin has the chance to breath and to unclog its pores.
Pimple Vulgaris, the 8 Stages of Pimple, Skin Care, Adult Pimple Treatment, and Scar Removal Options
What is Pimple Vulgaris
? This is a medical term used to describe most cases of pimple. It really isn't as bad as it sounds! Vulgaris doesn't mean that the pimple is vulgar, only that it means that it is common.
Be aware that there are many factors that contribute to pimple. First, research indicates a propensity for pimple may well be inherited. Parents who had pimple in their teenage and young adult years may have children who are likewise prone to having pimple in their teen and young adult years.
Next, clogged skin pores are certainly a major contributing factor for pimple out-breaks. When pores become clogged with an excess production of sebum and mix with dead skin cells or makeup that isn't sufficiently cleaned from the skin, problems start to develop. When skin pores are clogged, bacteria are produced and pus starts to form causing a pimple, a white head or a black head.
The most commonly accepted causes for pimple are hormonal imbalances. Hormones in boys and girls may become unbalanced during puberty, during menstrual cycles, when starting or stopping birth control pills, during times of extreme stress, and at other times as well.
All of the above situations can cause the body to over produce a male hormone which causes the sebaceous glands to produce sebum. The sebum combines with dead skin cells to block pores and pimple develops. So, basically, it still comes back to blocked pores.
Other causes for pimple include a lack of vitamins, minerals and trace elements that the body needs to maintain a healthy skin. Vitamins A, E and B6 are especially important in maintaining healthy skin as are zinc, essential fatty acids (EFA), Chromium and Selenium.
Most diets of teenagers and young adults do not contain these vitamins, minerals, and trace elements in sufficient quantity to maintain healthy skin and to help prevent the onset of Pimple.
Pimple: The 8 Stages:
Full blown, Stage 8 pimple doesn't usually develop overnight. Pimple is progressive condition. Pimple is one of the diseases that are so common that it is sometimes just disregarded as a serious problem...like the common cold. It has been estimated that 95 of people will have at least a mild case of pimple at some point in their lives.
Pimple, much like the common cold, is usually treated by the sufferer with over-the-counter medications that alleviate the symptoms of the disease in the belief that it will simply go away all by itself....eventually. And, it usually does but not always.
Most people throughout their life will have the occasional pimple, zit, white head or black head.
Although these pesky little outbreaks do seem to appear at the most inopportune times, they really aren't a serious problem that requires medical attention. A little over-the-counter pimple facial wash to help prevent another outbreak will usually take care of the problem. It isn't a big deal. This kind of pimple is referred to as Stage 0 and really nothing to be concerned about unless the pimple progresses to subsequent stages.
Pimple stages are graded from 0 through 8. Zero is the least severe and 8 is the most serious of the stages. The stages are as follows:
Stage 1: There will be white heads and black heads with some mild inflammation. The outbreaks will start to occur more frequently. Using products that contain Benzyl Peroxide are in order.
Stage 2: There will be some papules in addition to the white heads and black heads. Papules are skin lesions that are solid and raised but usually small. This is still considered to be a very mild case of pimple. Treatment can be continued using over-the-counter products that contain Salicylic Acid.
Stage 3: Stage 3 is the same as stage 2 but with more frequent occurrences.
Stage 4-5: Pustules begin to appear. Now, it's time to schedule an appointment at a dermatologist.
Stage 6-7: Nodules and cysts are forming. Scarring is going to start happening at this stage. Your dermatologist will begin to take more drastic action.
Stage 8: Breakouts are almost continuous and include nodules and cysts. There are modern technologies that will help and your dermatologist will advise you.
Pimple Skin Care:
As we know, our hair follicles secrete sebum. Sebum makes its way up the hair follicles to the skin pores where it lubricates and protects the skin. Sometimes there are oil glands which get overworked, get enlarge, and produce too much sebum. The sebum can get trapped in the hair follicle.
When this happens the pores get clogged and black heads or white heads form and the bacteria start to multiply at an alarmingly fast rate.
Once you understand this process, you can see the reasoning behind the advice about caring for skin that has black heads, white heads and pustules on it.
The first piece of advice about caring for pimple infected skin is to never pick at the pimples. Don't try to pop them and drain them. This will not cure them no matter what anybody tells you. Popping them will only serve to make them worse...not better.
However, there are things that you can do that really will help.
The first thing you can do is to wash your face with a mild soap or a sulfur based soap. Wash your face with just your finger tips. Don't ever use a wash cloth as it holds germs and bacteria. Rinse your face with clean water several times to ensure you remove all traces of soap, and then pat it dry with a clean towel. Do not rub your face with the towel and never use the same towel twice without it being clean.
Take a good multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplement every day and drink at least 8 full glasses of water (not soda) every day. The vitamins and minerals will supply nutrients that are absent from most diets and the water will help to hydrate the skin as well as to flush toxins out of your system.
If you use over-the-counter pimple medications, be certain that you follow the directions carefully and that you use a good sunscreen when you are outdoors as some pimple medications make the skin more prone to sunburn.
Adult Pimple:
Pimple is not just a problem for teenagers and young adults. Once a person survives the teenage years, you would think that they don't have to deal with the embarrassment of pimple any longer, right? Well....not exactly.
The sad truth is that about 25 of women will have pimple at some time in their 20s, 30s or even 40s. Although there has never been a real cause established, it is believed that most adult pimple is caused by the same thing that causes teenage pimple...hormonal changes.
A doctor will sometimes prescribe hormonal treatments that will clear a case of adult pimple right up. As with teenage pimple, adult pimple is not caused by diet. Stress has often been cited as one possible cause of adult pimple but that assertion has never been verified.
Treating adult pimple is a bit more difficult than treating teenage pimple. Adults have the concern of drying out their skin that teenagers don't normally have to deal with. Adults don't want pimples; but, they don't want wrinkles, either. A dermatologist should be consulted if the pimple is long lasting or is severe.
There are many treatments that are available to adults who suffer from pimple. Most of the effective treatments are only available by prescription. Adults should not use over-the-counter pimple medications that are intended for the treatment of teenage pimple. These products tend to dry the skin and adults need to be concerned about wrinkling as well as pimple.
A case of adult pimple is not a happy occurrence to say because those ugly bumps always seem to occur at the most inopportune times and while a teenager may be embarrassed by pimple, an adult is even more devastated.
Fortunately, there are treatments and a dermatologist has a lot of weapons in his arsenal to fight adult pimple.
Pimple Scar Removal Options:
Life hardly seems fair sometimes! First, a teenager or a young adult must suffer through pimple, treat it, and have to live with it...sometimes for years. Then the pimple is gone; but, the scars are there as a painful reminder of the mental and emotional agony the pimple sufferer had to endure.
You're right, life doesn't seem fair; but, pimple is one of those sad facts of life that some if not most of us have to deal with. The good news is there is help; unfortunately, it isn't free or cheap!
There are two basic procedures that are used to remove ugly pits and scars left over from a bad case of teenage or young adult pimple. Laser resurfacing is the least expensive of the two available pimple scar removal procedures. Dermabrasion is the second procedure.
Laser resurfacing can be done in the dermatologist office instead of a hospital so that provides a much greater financial savings. A laser is used to remove the top layer of skin and also to tighten the middle layer of skin.
The dermatologist will use a local anesthetic to help reduce the procedure pain. It usually takes several days for the skin to heal after a laser resurfacing procedure is completed. Very often, multiple resurfacing treatments must be done to achieve the desired results.
The second procedure used to remove pimple scarring is called dermabrasion. In this procedure, a rotating wire brush is used to remove the top layer of skin. The body continually produces new skin and the new layer will be smoother than the layer that was removed. It usually takes between 10 days and 3 weeks for the skin to heal after a dermabrasion treatment. Once again, multiple treatments may be required to eliminate the scarring.
Pimple may seem to be a devastating condition but with proper skin routine, vitamins, and over the counter products, most cases will not be severe. Remember, proper cleansing goes a long way towards minimizing outbreaks, so don't be afraid to cleanse your face 5 - 6 times a day of more if needed.